Felted Sunflowers by Kristin Nicholas

November Already?

Good Evening Knitting and Stitching Friends -

We have turned the clocks back and it got dark early today, didn't it? The shorter days give all of us crafty types more time to spend inside making and not feeling guilty about missing out on a beautiful day. Today it was a typical brisk November day with the wind blowing all the leaves that are left off the trees. The landscape looks pretty barren. Time to pull out the gloves, mittens, and hats to stay warm.

I know lots of you are looking for new knitting projects. Perhaps you would like to make some knitted projects for your Thanksgiving table. Here are some ideas from my on-line PDF pattern collection.
My Sunflowers and Zinnias Knit and Felted Napkin Rings from the Sunflowers and Zinnias to Knit and Felt PDF Pattern.
My Swirly Twirly Knit and Felted Coasters are just one of the 5 different projects featured in the Swirly Twirlies PDF Pattern.
Check out all my knitting patterns here or on my Ravelry Store here.

Looking for gift ideas. I have lots of little and quick knits perfect for DIY knit-gifting. Below is my Knit It Felt It Zip It Bag and my every popular Quarters Cap for Men, Women, Kids and Babies.
Check out all my knitting patterns here or on my Ravelry Store here.

Over on my blog, I have just published a new FREE Tutorial for How to Sew a Removable Flap Back Pillow. I used my new Circles Sampler Embroidery PDF as the sample. Check out the Tutorial Here. Did you miss the new Crewel Embroidery Design? Check it out here. I also have a kit available on my Supplies page here.



Here are some good things I found on the web this week.

•You know how I love a good ethnic fabric? Maryam Montague, author of book and blog My Marrakesh has opened a new online shop. I have always wanted to visit Morocco but for now, I will have to live vicariously through this video. The camel is just something else.

•Check out this adorable sheep soft-sculpture by artist Jenny Maj (found her via Abby Glassenberg's great process blog post here).

•This weekend in Franklin County Mass, we celebrated Cider Days. The event has been growing over the years and this year was written up in the latest Yankee Magazine. You can read that article here. The NYTimes featured a lengthy and detailed apple story here where they too wrote about Cider Days. Western Massachusetts is really becoming a place to watch for upcoming farms and foodie-ness.

•My sewing friend Betz White has just launched a new class on Craftsy on How to Sew a Weekend Duffle Bag. Check it out here. Betz has a new book out called Present Perfect which I reviewed on my blog here. Hop on over for a chance to win a free copy.

•I must try this Sunflower Seed Bread recipe from David Lebovitz' blog. I grew up on bread like this. I'll let you know how it goes.

•There's another chance to win a copy of my newest book Colorful Stitchery. The fantastic British embroidery website Mr X-Stitch did an interview with me. Check it out here and enter to win.

That's it for today. Read on below for some more holiday gifting and knitting ideas.

Happy stitching and knitting friends,

Kristin Nicholas

I have two fantastic Christmas Stocking Collections. Above is the Creative Christmas Stockings - 6 patterns featuring Fair Isle and Embroidery techniques.

Below is my Colorful Christmas Stocking Collection. Designed to be a bit easier to knit, only one color is used in a row or round.

Check out all my knitting patterns here or on my Ravelry Store here.

I know it seems like it isn't quite time yet but it isn't too early to be thinking about holiday cards. I have 3 sheep related holiday cards in my webshop. You can purchase them as sets of 5 for $15.00 or as sets of 10 for $25.00.

If you would like them assorted, just leave a note in the order with how many of each.

Get $20 off the price of my on-line Craftsy Class - Stitch It with Wool: Crewel Embroidery. The regular price is $34.99. For you it will be $14.99.

Regularly $34.99 by clicking this link, you will be charged only $14.99.


In the class you will learn 25 stitches. It features the following pillow project.

My book Colorful Stitchery has just been re-published by Roost Books. I have signed copies which make perfect holiday gifts for friends who are thinking about learning to stitch. Here is one of my favorite projects from the book.
$21.95 and I'll sign it to someone special! Here is the link.